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An exciting new housing project has been unveiled to the public in Vancouver. In August, the Atira Women's Resource Society held a gathering to reveal <a href="http://www.atira.bc.ca/press-release-atira-unveils-canadas-first-recycled-shipping-container-social-housing-development-0">a new social housing project</a> made from upcycled <a href="https://inhabitat.com/granary-row-shipping-container-pop-up-market-jump-starts-industrial-neighborhood-in-salt-lake-city/">shipping containers</a>. It is the first project of its kind to be built in Canada, but hopefully not the last.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

The project will have 12 units in a three story building.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

Although the units' 280-290 square foot layout may seem small even by city standards, many of the women at Atira have had very positive and emotional reactions when touring the new homes.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

Because of their prior living situation, they are touched at the thought of having a home to call their own.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

This is the first project of its kind in Vancouver

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

Using shipping containers for the structure instead of traditional concrete construction saved the project a great deal of money and may serve as a model for future affordable housing projects.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

The project sits nicely within the urban fabric.

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

The CEO of Atira, Janice Abbott, has stated that the organization is "absolutely thrilled with the outcome of this development. Atira had the vision and the tenacity to see this project through a precedent setting development process, despite criticism and opposition."

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

It was truly a team effort. Abbott thankful for her collaborators. "We are grateful to our funding partners who stood by us. The building and individual suites look better than we ever could have imagined."

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Atira Shipping Container Social Housing in Vancouver

An exciting new housing project has been unveiled to the public in Vancouver. In August, the Atira Women's Resource Society held a gathering to reveal a new social housing project made from upcycled shipping containers. It is the first project of its kind to be built in Canada, but hopefully not the last.